Euro Qualifiers: Ireland, Croatia and Czech win, Portugal held to a draw!!

@ram_cv (16513)
India
November 12, 2011 6:36am CST
Ireland and Croatia have one foot in the Euros with convincing wins over Estonia and Turkey. Ireland beat Estonia 4-0 while Croatia beat Turkey 3-0. Czech made the home advantage pay as they beat Montenegro 2-0. But Portugal could only manage a 0-0 draw away against Bosnia. The final outcomes would be decided in the reverse legs of the playoff, but already Ireland and Croatia seem to be secure. Czech also seem to have done most of their homework, with Portugal and Bosnia match still in a balance though Portugal will now have the home advantage. Cheers! Ram
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7 responses
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
12 Nov 11
I am very glad for Croatia and especially for Ivica Olic that they managed to win, although I respect Turkey a lot also, because of the wonderful fans they have, but I have to say I didn't see this coming, not in Turkey. As for Ireland, I thought they will have a more difficult task, but everything is clear there also. I am not convinced that Czech Republic will qualify, we know how hard is to play in the Balkans, so they will need to concentrate a lot, as the Montenegro fans will be 120% in the back of the national team. As for Bosnia and Portugal, I wish Bosnia to qualify, I don't want to see Nani and Ronaldo at the Euros and a small country like Bosnia would be a great presence at the Euros.
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
12 Nov 11
If you want to look at it in a joking manner, this is thanksgiving weekend in US and that means Turkey's get massacred for Dinner!! That is what happened for Croatia :). Yes, Olic scored the first goal, so one of your favorites scored!! Yes, Czech will have their task cut out, but they take a comfortable two goals lead going into the match against Montenegro. Bosnia have a great chance to upset if they play a great one off game against Portugal next week!! Cheers! Ram
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
13 Nov 11
I actually went for that because the match is well poised though Portugal are favorites. And Bosnia is given excellent odds. My usual trick is that for a set of safe bets, I would take one gamble and this is the gamble for the playoffs :) Cheers! Ram
• Romania
12 Nov 11
The Croatians have had a great meal then! And I am glad that Olic was one of the cooks! I have seen the goals, and Turkey appeared like a team with disastrous defense, two of the goals being scored with headers and the Olic has scored as a poacher, after a goalie mistake. As for Montenegro, they have had some chances and with a bit of luck they could have scored, and with a 2-1 result they would have had more chances to qualify. As for Bosnia, I have checked your OLBG tips and you are speculating on them to make the upset! Honestly, I would be glad to see this happen, but it will be very difficult, because in the Portuguese team there is more quality.
• United States
13 Nov 11
Were these matches as lopsided as the scores? I'm so happy for Ireland!
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• United States
13 Nov 11
Ouch! Thanksgiving isn't until Nov24th so Turkey Could have survived, lol!
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
13 Nov 11
Ireland and Croatia matches were lopsided. I expected Ireland match to be one-sided. But I had expected Turkey to put up a better fight against Croatia. But hey!! this was the thanksgiving weekend and Turkey's were expected to be massacred. :) Cheers! Ram
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@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
13 Nov 11
just want to ask Christiano Ronaldo...where is your goal??? where is your mouth?? i don`t see your performance for your country?? whats wrong with you??
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
13 Nov 11
Yes, that is the question that most people ask of CR7. The chance he had one on one with the goalkeeper was something he would have finished easily with Real Madrid. But here he simply shot it wide!! Cheers! Ram
@omchesunche (1755)
• Indonesia
12 Nov 11
well, yeah I have seen both Ireland and Croatia have close to pass through 2012 Eurp cup..They have won significant game against Estonia and Turkey.. I just wonder how Portugal unable to win or even score goal agains Bosnia. I know Bosnia was hosting the game and they have many talented players now..However, Portugal will have to manage win when they become host in the next match..
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
12 Nov 11
CR7 missed a sitter in front of the goal. Both sides simply cancelled each other out. Apart from the once chance to Ronaldo, there were not many clear cut chances for both sides. Cheers! Ram
@deliar (609)
• Indonesia
12 Nov 11
wow, great result. Ireland and Croatia, make good development in their team. I think Czech will have a big chance for this.
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
13 Nov 11
I expected Ireland to win against Estonia. What did surprise me was the ease with which Croatia got past Turkey. Yes, Czech have a great chance to go through with their 2 goal lead. Cheers! Ram
@deliar (609)
• Indonesia
13 Nov 11
yes, it is interesting to see how it will be done.
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@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
12 Nov 11
I feel for Turkey. I always like the way they play - full-blooded with passion. But they played like headless chicken as a team against Croatia. Perhaps the early Croatian goal had shocked them and they were too eager to go for a quick response. Croatia is a skillful team but seems to lack a decisive striking force. They are notoriously inconsistent. They can beat any team and lose to any team. But at 3-0 up, it will be very hard for Croatia to lose 0-3 at home.
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
13 Nov 11
Yes, after the first goal by Olic, it seemed all Croatia. I think Croatia are the favorites now to go through on this front. The return leg is later this week!! Cheers! Ram
@sjlskl (3382)
• Singapore
12 Nov 11
All the teams that I supported to go through won their match. The exception being Bosnia. I hope they will go over Portugal and pull off the required results. I love to see a Euro 2012 without Portugal.
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
12 Nov 11
Currently, Portugal would be the favorites to go through as they have the home advantage. But I think as the match is still poised at 0-0, Bosnia has a good chance of upsetting them. Does the Euros also have the away goal rule i.e. if they end as a 1-1 draw will Bosnia go through or will it go to penalties? Cheers! Ram